Gonadal sex differentiation in gonochoristic fish is generally labile and under the control of two interacting processes: genetic sex determination (GSD) and environmental sex determination (ESD ... [more ▼]

Gonadal sex differentiation in gonochoristic fish is generally labile and under the control of two interacting processes: genetic sex determination (GSD) and environmental sex determination (ESD). Numerous experimental studies deal with temperature induced-sex differentiation in teleosts, but none focused on the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. The aim of this study was to confirm the thermosensitivity of the sex differentiation process and to determine the thermosensitive period during the African catfish development. Fish were exposed to high temperature (36 °C) for 3 days at different periods during ontogenesis. The treatment was applied every 3 days from fertilization until 29 days post-hatching (dph). Before and after the thermal treatment, fish were reared at 28 °C. Gonadal development was histologically characterized on fish sampled at 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 45, 55 and 70 dph. Our results demonstrated that the African catfish displays a thermosensitivity of the sex differentiation process, with a masculinizing effect of high temperature (36 °C). The most thermosensitive period extended from 6 to 8 dph. Fish batches exposed to 36 °C during this period showed a sex-ratio skewed towards the male phenotype, ranging from 58 to 100% (high inter-familial variability). The African catfish gonads (male and female) stayed histologically undifferentiated until 20 dph. Obvious signs of gonadal differentiation clearly appeared at 25 dph in females and at 45 dph in males. Variability in sex-ratios between progenies and in the response to thermal treatment suggests a role of minor genetic factors and interactions between genomic and environmental determinants in the expression of the sexual phenotype. Statement of relevance: 1. This paper provides novel methods to control African catfish Clarias gariepinus sex differentiation through high temperature exposure and then to produce all-male populations. 2. Our work underlines the possibility to significantly reduce high temperature (masculinizing effect) treatment period to 3 days and consequently increase survival rate of progenies after treatment. 3. This study also shows the inter-family variability of thermosensitivity on the sex differentiation process in Clarias gariepinus. [less ▲]

Even with the aide of modern technology, the search for cadaver or human remains underwater is still assisted by sniffer dogs mainly because of their superior sense of olfaction. However, dogs rely on ... [more ▼]

Even with the aide of modern technology, the search for cadaver or human remains underwater is still assisted by sniffer dogs mainly because of their superior sense of olfaction. However, dogs rely on volatile organic compounds in the air and that this may constraint their ability when searching for submerged cadavers. On the other hand, it has long been recognized that fishes use olfaction to sample odors from their surroundings to accomplish a task and are capable of acquiring new skills through training or conditioning. Despite decades of experimental and observational studies of the olfactory sensitivities of fishes, its potential application to forensic sciences has never been truly explored. In this pioneering research, we explore the possibility of using fish olfaction in detecting cadaver odors (porcine origin), using common carps Cyprinus carpio as model species in a series of experiments under laboratory conditions. We first observed the innate behavior of carps towards cadaver odors. Afterwards, the carps were trained in two-choice chamber experimental tanks by appetitive olfactory conditioning and odor masking methods. We also experimented on the effects of cadaver odors by early exposure using eggs and larval impregnation techniques, and observing the behaviors when they develop to early juveniles. In general, we found out that common carps are naturally repelled to cadaver odors. However using our devised conditioning protocol, results show that the conditioned carps were able to learn to be attracted to cadaver odors despite their innate aversion. The development of fish for cadaver detection is a simple but innovative idea and that it may present a cost-effective and reliable solution for the shortcomings of the existing methods in underwater cadaver search. We anticipate that this research will open up a variety of different studies in pursuit of developing fishes as biosensors and its application to forensic sciences. [less ▲]

in Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology (2015), 323

This study aimed to develop sex reversal procedures targeting the embryonic period as tools to study the early steps of sex differentiation in Nile tilapia with XX, XY and YY sexual genotypes. XX eggs ... [more ▼]

This study aimed to develop sex reversal procedures targeting the embryonic period as tools to study the early steps of sex differentiation in Nile tilapia with XX, XY and YY sexual genotypes. XX eggs were exposed to masculinizing treatments with androgens (17α-methyltestosterone, 11-ketotestosterone) or aromatase inhibitor (Fadrozole), whereas XY and YY eggs were subjected to feminizing treatments with estrogen analog (17α-ethynylestradiol). All treatments consisted of a single or double 4-h immersion applied between 1 and 36 h post-fertilization (hpf). Concentrations of active substances were 1000 or 2000 µg l-1 in XX and XY, and 2000 or 6500 µg l-1 in YY. Masculinizing treatments of XX embryos achieved a maximal sex reversal rate of 10 % with an exposure at 24 hpf to 1000 µg l-1 of 11-ketotestosterone or to 2000 µg l-1 of Fadrozole. Feminization of XY embryos was more efficient and induced up to 91 % sex reversal with an exposure to 2000 µg l-1 of 17α-ethynylestradiol. Interestingly, similar treatments failed to reverse YY fish to females, suggesting either that a sex determinant linked to the Y chromosome prevents the female pathway when present in two copies, or that a gene present on the X chromosome is needed for the development of a female phenotype. [less ▲]

In this study, we sought to determine the mechanism of early sex reversal in a teleost by applying 4 hr feminization treatments to XY (17α-ethynylestradiol 2000 mg L-1) and YY (6500 mg L-1) Nile tilapia ... [more ▼]

In this study, we sought to determine the mechanism of early sex reversal in a teleost by applying 4 hr feminization treatments to XY (17α-ethynylestradiol 2000 mg L-1) and YY (6500 mg L-1) Nile tilapia embryos on the first day post-fertilization (dpf). We then searched for changes in the expression profiles of some sex-differentiating genes in the brain (cyp19a1b, foxl2, and amh) and in sex steroids (testosterone, 17β-estradiol, and 11-ketotestosterone) concentrations during embryogenesis and gonad differentiation. No sex reversal was observed in YY individuals, whereas sex reversal rates in XY progeny ranged from 0-60%. These results, together with the clearance profile of 17α-ethynylestradiol, confirmed the existence of an early sensitive period for sex determination that encompasses embryonic and larval development and is active prior to any sign of gonad differentiation. Estrogen treatment induced elevated expression of cyp19a1b and higher testosterone and 17β-estradiol concentrations at 4 dpf in both XY and YY individuals. foxl2 and amh were repressed at 4 dpf and their expression levels were not different between treated and control groups at 14 dpf, suggesting that foxl2 did not control cyp19a1b in the brains of tilapia embryos. Increased cyp19a1b expression in treated embryos could reflect early brain sexualization, although this difference alone cannot account for the observed sex reversal as the treatment was ineffective in YY individuals. The differential sensitivity of XY and YY genotypes to embryonic induced-feminization suggests that a sex determinant on the sex chromosomes, such as a Y repressor or an X activator, may influence sex reversal during the first steps of tilapia embryogenesis. [less ▲]

In Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), individuals with atypical sexual genotype are commonly used in farming (use of YY males to produce all-male offsprings), but they also constitute major tools to ... [more ▼]

In Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), individuals with atypical sexual genotype are commonly used in farming (use of YY males to produce all-male offsprings), but they also constitute major tools to study sex determinism mechanisms. In other species, sexual genotype and sex reversal procedures affect different aspects of biology such as growth, behaviour and reproductive success. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sexual genotype on sperm quality in Nile tilapia. Milt characteristics were compared in XX (sex-reversed), XY and YY males in terms of gonadosomatic index, sperm count, sperm motility and duration of sperm motility. Sperm motility was measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) quantifying several parameters: total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity and linearity. None of the sperm trait measured differed significantly between the three genotypes. Mean values of gonadosomatic index, sperm concentration and sperm motility duration of XX, XY and YY males respectively ranged from 0.92 to 1.33 %, from 1.69 to 2.22 × 10(9) cells mL-1 and from 18’04’’ to 27’32’’. Mean values of total motility and curvilinear velocity 1 min after sperm activation respectively ranged from 53 to 58 % and from 71 to 76 µm s-1 for the three genotypes. After 3 min of activity, all the sperm motility and velocity parameters dropped by half and continued to slowly decrease thereafter. Seven min after activation, only 9 to 13 % of spermatozoa were still progressive. Our results prove that neither sexual genotype nor hormonal sex reversal treatments affect sperm quality in male Nile tilapias with atypical sexual genotype. [less ▲]

The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of domestication process on the stress response and subsequent immune modulation in Eurasian perch juveniles (Perca fluviatilis) submitted to chronic ... [more ▼]

The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of domestication process on the stress response and subsequent immune modulation in Eurasian perch juveniles (Perca fluviatilis) submitted to chronic confinement. Briefly, F1 and F4 generations were confined into small-size tanks and sampled 7 and 55 days after stocking. Cortisol and glucose levels as well as lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin level were evaluated in the serum. Spleen Somatic Index and spleen ROS production were also measured. A proteomic analysis was performed on serum sampled on day 7. Finally, both generations were genetically characterized using a microsatellite approach. Globally, results revealed that chronic confinement did not elicit a typical stress response but resulted in a prolonged immune stimulation. Proteomic results suggested that domestication process influenced the immune status of perch submitted to chronic confinement as the F1 confined fish displayed lower abundance of C3 complement component, transferrin and Apolipoprotein E. Microsatellite data showed a strong genetic drift as well as reduced genetic diversity, allelic number and heterozygosity along with domestication process. The present work is the first to report that fish under domestication can develop an immune response, assessed by a combined approach, following recurrent challenges imposed by captive environment despite a reduced genetic variation. [less ▲]

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the influence of different feeding regimes on the quality of reproduction in pikeperch. Three diets were tested: forage fish (FF), a commercial dry feed ... [more ▼]

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the influence of different feeding regimes on the quality of reproduction in pikeperch. Three diets were tested: forage fish (FF), a commercial dry feed (DD) and a mix of both (FD). The diets were given to fish throughout a complete reproductive cycle. During the spawning season, couples were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and let to spawn on nests. Proportion of running males, spawning and hatching success and larval quality (weight, length, body protein, total lipid, fatty acid and lipid class compositions and resistances to osmotic shock and starvation stress tests at hatching) were evaluated. The proportion of running male was lower in the DD group than in the FF and FD groups (54% for DD against 76-89% for FF and FD). In addition, 25%, 62.5% and 75% of injected couples gave spawning that hatched in DD, FF and FD groups respectively. Larval quality parameters were not significantly different between treatments. The results indicate that overall quality of reproduction was higher in FF and FD treatments than in DD. It suggests that the dry feed used was not totally adequate for pikeperch reproduction. Relations between breeder reproductive performances and the feed compositions are discussed. [less ▲]

In fish, the reasons for the inhibition of reproduction by constant photothermal conditions of rearing are far from clear. In an in vivo experiment, two groups of females reared under natural (4-28 ... [more ▼]

In fish, the reasons for the inhibition of reproduction by constant photothermal conditions of rearing are far from clear. In an in vivo experiment, two groups of females reared under natural (4-28 degrees C) or constant photothermal conditions (20-22 degrees C, photoperiod 12/12) were investigated for gonad development, sex-steroids (testosterone-T, 17-beta-estradiol-E2 and 11 Keto-Testosterone-11KT) dynamics and brain aromatase activity in January, February and March. Two days before each sampling date, a group of females reared under constant conditions was injected with HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: 100 Ul/kg) and evaluated for the same parameters. In addition, in vitro ovarian steroidogenesis capacity for each female was determined with or without stimulation by HCG and/or IGF-1 (insulin-like Growth Factor-1). The results indicate that vitellogenesis stage is the limit ovarian stage never reached in females submitted to constant photothermal conditions. This was associated with gonadogenesis delay and low levels of circulating sex-steroids (T, E2 and 11KT). Nevertheless, HCG injections partly counteracted the plasma steroid deprivation, indicating that ovaries from fish reared under constant photothermal conditions suffer from a lack of gonadotropin stimulation, maybe caused by plasma LH suppression. Such finding was confirmed by the in vitro ovary incubation test. HCG and IGF-1 treatments induced broad testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol elevations and the exposure to constant photothermal conditions, in some cases, decreased that response to HCG. In conclusion, we show that the inhibition of reproductive cycle in Eurasian perch females by constant photothermal conditions of rearing may be related to lower sex-steroid levels and to an inhibition of ovarian regulation by gonadotropins (at least LH), probably stopping gonadogenesis before vitellogenesis stage. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [less ▲]